China’s Ding Xuexiang signals leading role in Communist Party’s revamped Hong Kong affairs body
- Ding, the sixth-ranked member of party’s inner circle, delivers message at belt and road forum hosted by the city’s government
- It is the clearest indication yet that he now oversees restructured leading group for Hong Kong and Macau
In his first speech to the city, Ding expressed support for maintaining Hong Kong’s unique status and praised the city’s work related to the belt and road. He was the most senior Beijing leader to speak at the event.
Ding was made executive vice-premier in March following the party’s twice-a-decade leadership reshuffle.
At the annual session of China’s legislature in March, Beijing revealed its plan to restructure its top office overseeing Hong Kong and Macau affairs amid growing national security concerns and heightened geopolitical tensions. The office is headed by Xia Baolong and now answers directly to the party rather than the State Council, China’s cabinet.
His address to the Hong Kong gathering was the clearest sign yet that he is the top leader in charge of the party’s Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, the de facto highest decision-making body for the two special administrative regions.
